For the conspiracy theorists who thought Knicks president Phil Jackson only wanted Carmelo Anthony back for the right price, only wanted him if he took a paycut, the Zen Master dispelled the myth Thursday night.

Phil’s all in.

During their final meeting in Los Angeles, Jackson told Anthony he will give him the maximum contract of five years, $129 million, which would blow the competition out of the water. Anthony didn’t give Jackson a commitment, nor has he decided whether he will take the small paycut the Knicks would prefer.

A league source told The Post a decision should come over the weekend. Jackson has said giving out max contracts puts “limitations’’ on a club trying to build a title winner, but he showed he can’t afford to lose his cornerstone player for whom the Knicks traded the farm during the 2010-11 season.

In a sequence of events made for Hollywood, the Anthony free-agency tour ended Thursday with Jackson and Lakers president Jeanie Buss squaring off in separate meetings for the heartstrings of Anthony. The two team presidents are engaged to be married.

The under-the-cap Lakers also promised Anthony the maximum salary, but that is only four years, $96 million for opposing clubs.

Jackson flew into L.A. with coach Derek Fisher and GM Steve Mills to meet with Anthony one last time following the Lakers’ 2 ½-hour presentation at their practice facility. Knicks owner James Dolan was not part of the Knicks meeting with Anthony.

That Anthony and the Knicks wanted yet another meeting seemed to underscore the team’s favorite status. Anthony did not have the Knicks brass fly to L.A. to tell them to work out a sign-and-trade with the salary-cap-hindered Bulls, who brought up a scenario in which the team could give him $16 million per for four years. The best offer the Bulls could make — and keep Taj Gibson — is four years, $72.6 million.

Anthony is trying to speak with free agent Pau Gasol about playing together in New York — not L.A. The Knicks have only their $3.3 million mini mid-level exception to offer Gasol, who made $19 million last season. But Gasol’s good friend/countryman Jose Calderon is now a Knick and it could set up the opportunity to play in New York with his brother, center Marc Gasol, a free agent in 2015.

Just as importantly, it shows Anthony still wants to make it work in New York despite their 37-45 season.

In another twist, it appeared Kobe Bryant would have the last word with Anthony late Thursday night. Bryant didn’t arrive in time for the late-afternoon meeting as he was flying home from a European vacation. But reportedly he planned to meet with Anthony after the Knicks meeting. As he left the Lakers facility, escorted by Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak, Anthony was asked by reporters if he would see Bryant. He responded “We’ll see.’’

“You know I can’t say anything right now, but I wanted to stop and say ‘hey,’ ” Anthony said as he signed autographs for a handful of Lakers fans.

Bryant has spoken with Anthony across the last month about the merits of playing in L.A. Last week, Jackson admitted Bryant can be “persuasive,” though the two occasionally feuded with the Lakers.

According to media outlets in L.A., movie producer Joel Silver was present for the Lakers powwow and showed a short film — patterned after “The Matrix’’ — in homage to Anthony.

Silver also spoke to Anthony about avenues he and his wife, La La Vazquez, can take into the entertainment industry, according to ESPNLosAngeles.com.

The Post reported in Tuesday’s editions Vazquez, who has a second home in L.A. with Anthony, doesn’t want him to leave the Knicks. “There’s reason to believe he’s staying,’’ a source connected to Melo’s inner circle told The Post Tuesday.

While Bryant missed the Lakers meeting, Lakers legend James Worthy sat in his place. In May, the Lakers had tepid interest in teaming Anthony with Bryant, leaning toward spending their cap money in 2015. But something changed, likely Bryant’s urging.

Bryant is a favorite of Buss, and she has referred to these final two years after Bryant signed an extension as his “farewell tour.’’ Does Anthony want to be part of that — a club still with no head coach or any bench? Of course, things could change if LeBron James enters the picture.

The Lakers still seem long shots. The Bulls, whom Anthony visited Tuesday, are hampered by cap-space issues. Houston should have the near-max cap room if the Rockets ship Jeremy Lin to Philadelphia, but Anthony is leery of uprooting his family to Texas despite a potential Big 3 of him, Dwight Howard and James Harden. Dallas cut into its cap space Thursday by re-signing Dirk Nowitzki to a three-year, $30 million deal and doesn’t appear a serious factor.

Jackson said before the draft it’s best to have the first meeting and the last one, which Thursday night’s sit-down is presumed to be unless there’s a breakup of the Miami Big 3.

Jackson prefers Anthony takes less than the maximum to give him more flexibility to make a run at 2015 and 2016 free agents. Anthony said during the All-Star break he’d be willing to do it. But if he wants the max, it’s his. Losing Anthony is too big a black eye for Jackson and the franchise.

This was the third time Jackson has met formally with Anthony since the season ended in mid-April. Anthony also met another time with Knicks officials without Jackson present.

The Knicks have remained confident throughout the process because of the complexities of the Bulls’ and Rockets’ salary-cap situations.

Carmelo, remember "the decision" that LeBron made? Cleveland fans HATED him for that! They burned his jerseys...he was born in ohio...represented his home state in Cleveland then left them high and dry to chase an "easier" ring in Miami...he took the easy way out. I believe he should have stayed in his hometown and fought for a title in Cleveland...the easy way out and the easy way to a title ring is not the most satisfying way. Fighting and battling and enduring and sticking it out in your hometown and THEN winning a title would be so MUCH MORE satisfying and you would be a hometown HERO and one forever....your NYK legacy would carry on long after we are all dead and burried.

theres no place like home....

you represent the greatest city in the world

dont take the easy way out

Stay a Knick for life. Win a title here with Phil Jackson...thats what he does...he wins titles so....

New York City is the BEST city in the world! Carmelo Anthony has an opportunity to lead the New York Knicks to an NBA title and if he does he will be one of the greatest knicks of all time...up there with Clyde, Willis, Patrick, Bernard,Earl etc. and when you are born here...win a National title at Syracuse NY, along with 2 olympic gold medals AND win an NBA championship as a member of the New York Knicks? It just dont and cant get any better than that!

95% chance Carmelo stays a Knick. I'm on edge just waiting to hear that Carmelo Anthony, one of the top 5 players in the NBA, re-signs with the New York Knicks! With Carmelo, Phil, Derek and the rest of the Knick players the sky is the limit....I say that with the guidance of Jackson and Fisher& assistants these players with Carmelo CAN compete for a title THIS YEAR! There is alot of talent already on the team and Phil has a way of getting everybody on the same page and believing in themselves and thats what it takes!

Why should Melo have to take less. Knicks need to pay the penalty. They got a lot more money than Melo and will be in NBA longer after Melo is gone. You only a chance to make some money once or at the most twice in the league so why he give it up. No body is going to take care of his family but him. Why does he have to be the sucker that gives it up. If he can't get the MAX then he should go some where else. The MAX money is the trade off for playing on a lousy team.

Even if max-salary Melo flames out in the triangle system, Phil could put him up for a trade and teams would be happy to overpay. Losing Melo might mean getting an expiring contract back in a s&t, but there's no guarantee that a legitimate star is going to be available especially since many are now willing to take the max extension and avoid the drama.

Hey Dolan, here's a lil advice... If you want to run with the big boys, then bust the cap and pay the tax. Plain and simple. But Nooooooo, you went and spent 300 million on marbling the entrance and hallways to the Garden instead. You genius!!!

I say, FK the Marble, go buy yourself a championship team you leprechaun looking, karaoke singing, trust fund baby who even with his billions in tow, has to bring a stepladder to reach the dinner table.

Whomever is foolish enough to pay up for this fraud most definitely deserves him.He plays hard for the name on the wrong side of the jersey. All the great players have one thing in common and that is the will to win. How many times have you seen the great ones gather their team on the court for a quickie huddle to discuss the next moves. Noah does it 50 times a game! Has anyone EVER seen CarMElo do it? ever? this guy cares only for himself and his points while he takes everyone else out of their games.If this story is true,the Knicks are done. They're going nowhere,and I would be shocked if Phil Jackson was behind this unless his senility has begun to sink in.

Knicks fans are smart. Most of us know that, while we need Melo in NY, it's not entirely jackson's fault if he leaves. We also know that, based on certain models, teams are most successful when they have the cash to divide more fairly among the key players. So if Melo decides to to leave, we'll be alright. Having said that, we want him to stay and hope he gives the Knicks some type of relief to help sign players. Making as much money as he can is his right and the Knicks will pay it but if he wants to win as he says he does and if he's looking at successes of past champions, he knows the Knicks need money to build the team around him. IF he does THAT, then we could be looking at winning AT LEAST one chip before Anthony retires. He should know that as well.

Phil Jackson and Derek Fisher system works best when you have an NBA all star.

Carmelo is actually the right fit in NY, his wife, son and relatives like it here in NY and they're from here. I hope Carmelo sign the deal and Phil can focus in getting other players that could help the NY Knicks. I followed the Knicks for so many years and what Carmelo Anthony showed me was that he has some 'Class' and he's not like any other players that party all night or have problem with the law like the others you know (kidd & JR). Melo fits NY very well considering all the media pressures and fans critical on him at times but he stayed focus and still 'drop' those big (25-60 points) while the rest of his teammates were getting paid top salary but can't play and don't deliver. If other top team sees Carmelo as a top NBA player then why can't we see that also. I rather have an NBA all star on my Knick team. thx. and BTW Phil J. & Derek has more moves to come - stay tune ! thx. again.

95% chance Carmelo signs with the Knicks. Oh hey...did Michael Jordon take LESS money for the team? NO WAY! He took 30mil per yr. when that was unheard of and the Bulls managed to put excellent players around him to win championships. I"m sick on reading all the Melo bashings...why? he plays his ass off every game...he has gotten alot BETTER as a Knick and will continue to get better. You Melo bashers ought to listen to what the experts and more important what his PEERS say about him...they know better than anyone just how good Melo is because they gotta play against him or with him.

Melo! Take the max and nothing but the max. Why should be the one to pay for the Knicks past bad decisions. You had nothing to do with that. If they want Pau let them pay the luxaury penalty. They can afford it. They've got way more money than you. If they really want a championship team in NY let them pay for it with their money not yours. This is business. You've got a small window of oppertunity and you need to get all you can while you can. They will continue to money long after you've lost your ability to do so. Money first championship second. THIS IS BUSINESS!!! Remember, this is the team that bounced Bernard and Patrick. They don't care about you as a person, so why care about you. This team is not the spurs, or the Heat, so get yours NOW! If they won't pay the max, then go west young man. You can't come close to making it up from taxes you won't have to play in texas AND have a much better oppertunity to win a championship.

@Hootdooty If you think for one minute that Texas with no State tax is gonna make up for 35- 50 million dollars below what the Knicks will offer, then you need to get yourself a calculator. Five years from now, The Mavs will not have an effective Dirk Nowitski who by the way just signed only a 3 year deal. The Rockets are not a reliable team with Howard always being out injured. Same goes for the Bulls. The starting 5 look good on paper, but Derek Rose has been out for two years now without a promising comeback. Melo is better off staying in NY with or without max pay. By next year, the Knicks with be without all of it's bad contracts and can start fresh with new role players and best of all an excellent shot at getting Kevin Durant.

In a perfect world, the Knicks offer him the max but Anthony actually signs for less. That way Phil & the brass look good, Melo comes off looking good, and the Knicks still have a bit more flexibility to work with in the future.

@kenanlegg Well that's the obvious motivation behind Phil Jackson's chess games. Him letting the public know that he's asking (not demanding), Melo to take less money for the betterment of the team, puts Melo in a position to either take less and look like a team first guy, or take the max and be subject to fan ridicule very time he misses a last minute shot and the Knicks lose. We'll see if Melo is a chess player or checkers player....

And that contract would pretty much suffocate the Knick chances of doing anything great..... Five more years of Melo dribbling for ten seconds and then hoisting up jumpers at the end of games as his body starts to go, makes me curious to see what the Nets are doing....